A PETITION has been launched by pensioners who are angry because they have to pay television licence fees.

The pensioners, from the Sunderland area, are hoping to put pressure on the Government to grant free television licences to all elderly people, instead of just the over-75s.

Bob Pells, chairman of the Sunderland Pensioners' Association, said: " We think it is grossly unfair to limit the free TV licence to a minority of retired people - less than two million over 75 - while the majority of elderly and retired, struggling on a meagre pension already, have to pay the full cost of licence."

The pensioners are being backed by others from Houghton-le-Spring and Silksworth.

Pensioners are also demanding free public transport and that the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Care for the Elderly be implented.